Date of Death: February 16, 2025
Service Details
The family will have a time to celebrate Mary’s life from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Hohner Funeral Home.
Obituary Notice
Mary Ellen Stofer, age 75, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025 at Rose Arbor Hospice House in Kalamazoo. She was born on April 22, 1949 in South Bend, Indiana the daughter of the late Irwin Warkentien and Annabell (Phillips) Warkentien.
Mary was raised in the Decatur area where she attended schools and graduated. She later received her teaching degree from Western Michigan University and began her career with Marcellus Schools where she taught for over 33 years.
Mary was a devoted wife and mother. She loved attending Three Rivers Sporting events where her son and friends participated in. Mary also enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, golf, and traveling.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Charles Warkentien.
Mary leaves to cherish her loving memory, husband of 49 years, Hal Stofer, of Three Rivers; one son, Matthew Stofer, of Three Rivers; two brothers, Larry and Carl Warkentien and many friends and extended family.
Additional Information
Donations in Mary’s memory may be directed to the Three Rivers Athletic Department. Envelopes available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
I think I should start it with Mary Farrah Fawcett. She some times called herself Farrah in class, I had the biggest crush on Mary as a student in the 70’s. Mary was my favorite teacher ever, she was very caring knowing school came very difficult to me. Years later I stopped and talked to her after leaving the court house filing for divorce. She was so kind that day listening to me rattle on. That day adult to adult we talked about how she felt being my teacher and the desire to know what teachers know now days A.D.D. Testing they have now to help students. Mary had such a heart for her students. No No No No was what I said when I saw her picture here. My dads picture is just a couple pictures above hers “Carroll’s”. I’m so sorry to the entire Stofer family.
Hal and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Mary. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!
Sending the entire Beams family’s condolences.
Hal, We are so sorry to hear the sad news about Mary. We have a family obligation on Sunday, so we won’t be able to talk to you personally., but rest assured, we can empathize with your profound loss. It must be a great comfort to have Matt so close. As I read all the compliments about Mary; I was thinking how proud you must be to have her as your wife.
If you’re ever driving by on M 86; stop in to chat; you don’t need a special invite, Much love to you, Don & Ellie
Mrs Stoger,, was a great teacher, one of the best. She made learning fun. I remember 6th grade camp, was a blast! She will be missed.
She was the most amazing teacher she check all the boxes, funny, caring, and made her students feel special and helped them learn the fun way. When I talk to different people that went to Marcellus Middle School every one of them say that Mrs. Stofer was one of their favorite teachers. She was definitely my favorite teacher. I have many fond memories of Mrs. Stofer, I will truly miss her.
So sorry for your loss, Mr. Stofer. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Whenever Matt and I remember back to school and our education, Mrs. Stofer will always, immediately come to mind. She made Science fun and she had the best sense of humor! She was one of my favorites but Matt especially loved her.
Sad to hear that another staple of the Marcellus community and schools has passed. She was an amazing teacher and mentor to anyone she came in contact with. She will definitely be missed by many! Thoughts and prayers to her family
Hal and family sorry for your loss, Mary being the same age as me and other cousins, it was always a great time when we got together. She will be missed and I’m sure the heavens have received a new angel.
Mrs. Stofer was an absolutely amazing teacher who gave so much to all her students. She had a special way of creating unique relationships with all her students and there was never a dull moment in her classroom. Mrs. Stofer was full of life and spunk and she is a perfect example of what every teacher should be.
ONE OF THE GREATEST TEACHERS I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING EVEN WHEN CHAD BRESEMAN AND MYSELF KEPT GOING BACK AND FORTH TO MRS.CHURCHILLS ROOM RELAYING MESSAGES AND TO TALK WITH MRS.CHURCHILL
My condolences to Mrs. Stofer’s family. I have fond memories of my 6th grade year with her as one of our teachers. Teachers that can leave a lasting good impression on kids, that last a lifetime, are a treasured group. To me, she was one of those teachers.
Sad to hear the news of the passing of Mary. As I started my educational journey, she was one of many great teachers at Marcellus Middle School that influenced me as I began my career. She was always in a good mood, positive and a great laugh. No doubt, she was top shelf.
She was a great teacher and had such a wonderful personality! She was so fun and engaging. My condolences to her family, she will be missed.
Miss Warkentien/Mrs. Stofer was one of my all time favorite teachers!! We were fellow farm girls she always said. Enjoyed her in class and at sixth grade glass and running into her over the years! She was a peach of a gal and an awesome teacher. RIP Mrs. Stofer you made a huge impact on many!!
I had the best middle school teachers, and Mrs Stofer led the pack ❤️. Her memory will live on in her students forever.
My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Mrs. Stofer was such a fun teacher. 6th grade can be tough but she made it so enjoyable. Always having a puzzle on the back table increased my love for puzzles as an adult.
Condolences to the family.
Mrs. Stofer was a great teacher and one of my favorites. I still think of her often. She managed to make learning fun… to a 6th grader no less. I think that says a lot about who she was as a teacher. She had spunk and made an impression. My condolences.
Mary was a favorite teacher and she kept in touch with many of her student for years after graduation.
Heaven has gained yet another angel…
Such a wonderful teacher who made her class fun,she was my home room teacher,love you and rest in peace ❤️
Mary was my childhood friend. We spent a lot of time together when we were younger. She was a lot of fun to be with. Rest in peace my friend💔
My good and wonderful friend, “Walker”, we sure could have fun and laugh till our sides would hurt. My heart will always remember growing up in Decatur. The Decatur girls will miss our leader.
A friend from high school. Mary was a funny and very friendly person. My condolences to her family. Hal my friend, my prayers are with you
I’ll always remember my Marcellus teachers fondly, especially Mrs Stofer. Our community was truly blessed by her and our other excellent educators.
Mrs, Stofer was an excellent teacher. Condolences to her family. She touched the souls of so many of her students and fellow co workers.
Mrs. Stofer was one of my favorite all time teachers. She was empathetic, caring, spicy and loved her students!!
She truly instilled in them the qualities it takes to be a good person, like she was.
As my middle school teacher, she kept class fun and exciting!!
RIH Mary.
Our deepest condolences to her family and friends. I feel blessed to have known Mary, mostly from high school. She was always full of fun and a joy to be around. I’m sure anyone who knew her felt the same way. May she rest in peace! -Lance and Laura (Luth) Novak.
Mary had a beautiful smile and laugh. She loved life and touched everyone who knew her. Rip my friend you will be missed
So sad to hear this news. “Miss Warkentien” was one of my favorite teachers! Mr. Stofer, please let Dwight and me know if you need anything.
Mary was a breath of fresh air in teaching middle school students. She had such a great sense of humor, which kept 12 & 13 year olds on their toes! 🙂 Mary was involved with 6th grade camp for decades, providing students with outdoor skills and multiple class bonding opportunities that carried over through the next 6 years of their education. Mary was a phenomenal educator, colleague, and friend. Her teaching legacy will carry on, and her friendship will be missed.